I’ve been in the UK for several years now, but I’m only starting to get the hang of the language. Still, for those who are struggling with some of the differences between American and British English, I’ve developed an all-purpose conversation.

Your’re welcome. [@soverybritish translation: Punishing people who don’t say thank you by saying “you’re welcome” as quietly as possible.]

I dunno…mostly when I say cheers I have a drink in my hand and I’m wishing us all well without hangovers. Loved the post. My husband has spent some time in the UK and he insists we’re going over to visit his old friends some day. They were his exes friends also, so I’m trying to learn how to be polite in UK.

Yup. And you guys don’t get to say you guys. Your parents aren’t ‘the rents’, your girlfriends aren’t ‘my posse’, and when you’re pissed, you’ll need a hangover remedy in the morning instead of just getting mellow. And when was the last time you called someone ‘dude’?

All of that pales, however, beside the irrefutable fact: we only get to say “cheerio” when we’re talking about breakfast food.

I loved this. I spend quite a lot of time travelling between the UK and the US and find the language variations really interesting. The ones that get me the most are ones that work in both the UK and the US but have completely different connotations – ‘I will have to see a solicitor’ as a simple example.

Absolutely. Pissed and pissed off. There are so many humorous examples, one of my favourites being football as you have alluded to. As you are struggling to get used to the British usages, I am struggling with the American ones. I am sure we will both get there eventually.